Four school students, driver killed as auto, dumper collide head-on in Odisha

In a tragic incident, an auto-rickshaw and dumper collided head-on near Swayamba under K Balang police limits in Odisha’s Sundargarh district today killing at least four school students and driver of the three-wheeler.

A girl student was among the deceased, sources said.

According to reports, the auto-rickshaw was carrying as many as 13 school students.

While the three students and the driver of the ill-fated vehicle died on the spot, eight students sustained critical injuries in the accident and were initially admitted to Lahunipada community health centre (CHC) and later shifted to Rourkela as their condition deteriorated.

Later, a critically injured student died in the hospital taking the toll to five.

The driver of the dumper fled the spot soon after the accident.

Tension gripped the spot following the incident as irate locals staged road blockade demanding arrest of the dumper driver.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. Besides, he announced free treatment for the injured.